Decision day for bus and on-street parking is delayed

Kimberley Barber

Motorcyclist injured in Portsmouth crash

MORE than 150 people packed out a village’s community room to vent their frustrations over proposed changes to on-street car parking and bus routes.

There was a queue of people outside Titchfield’s Parish Rooms on Friday night and it was packed to capacity.

The villagers flocked to the Community Action Team meeting to make their voices known on proposals which would either see the loss of the 4A bus service or the loss of on-street car parking spaces.

In October, First announced its intention to reroute the 4A away from the village after its buses received £100,000 of damage in one year because of cars parked along the narrow South Street. It said unless the cars were moved, it would stop serving Titchfield.

This prompted South Street traders to fear for their businesses, which they say would be affected by a loss of custom if the spaces are removed.

Now, the county council thinks it has a solution, which would see the loss of three car parking spaces along South Street but the creation of four 30-minute spaces along West Street. It would also install two loading bays along South Street so traders could accept deliveries.

First agreed to continue to serve the village until Fareham Borough Council had consulted villagers, which was meant to happen at Friday’s Community Action Team (Cat) meeting.

Unfortunately, the issue proved to be such a hot topic that the meeting had to be adjourned because too many people turned up.

Council leader Cllr Sean Woodward was at the meeting to support Cat chairman Cllr Tiffany Harper,

He said: ‘There was a huge level of interest. The people were given the choice to stay or reconvene and the majority decided. I will endeavour to book another, more suitable venue in the next couple of weeks.’

Many of the villagers were still keen to voice their opinions and stayed behind to chat to council workers.

Jean Tomes, 79, said: ‘I am disappointed that we have had to move it on but it is nice to see there is such an interest. So many people will be cut off if there is no bus.’

Michael Bowen, 74, said: ‘I would hate to see traders such as the butchers go but a lot of people rely on the bus.’

David Harrison, 66, said: ‘There is a lot of concern about losing the bus. I feel very strongly about it.’